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I didn't precisely date it, I said mid to late twenties. I haven't done this for nearly 40 years without the ability to recognize a later style motor.

I didn't precisely date it, I said mid to late twenties. I haven't done this for nearly 40 years without the ability to recognize a later style motor.

I understand you didn't date it to a specific year but "mid to late twenties" is a fairly narrow time-frame for a type of mechanical motor which existed in some forms for over half a century. Rather than seeking to question your statement I was genuinely hoping you would throw some more light on this for those newbies amongst us who have only been doing this for 20 years or considerably less?

That motor doesn't, at face value, look noticeably different to motors I have from the 1907-14 period.

I've seen similar crapofabrications made from bedside cabinets, as well as cabinet gramophones where the motor is affixed under the lid with the turntable above the lid. A suitable back bracket and horn rounds off the creation. Crapophones usually also have "some original parts"

Ok then, if this is a "frankenphone", how does one sell it? How much should I ask for it? It just doesn't fit into any category... Please advise. Thanks, Roy

I like it. It may not be an absolutely correct machine , but if it's got a spring motor , mechanical sound reproducer , and a horn , then it's a gramophone...and I never met a gramophone that I didn't like

Steve,

Well, o.k., I may have been too specific about placing the motor strictly in the late 20's. I'll admit it could go back into the mid-teens as well but I would still place out of the horn phono era. Those cheap, square cut winding gears, silver painted frame, later style governor weights that are simple flat discs, and just the overall design, suggest to me a later type of motor.

toysbyroy wrote:Ok then, if this is a "frankenphone", how does one sell it? How much should I ask for it? It just doesn't fit into any category... Please advise. Thanks, Roy

Take it from me.

If had to display a home phonograph with it's motor behind a completely gauche and inappropriate glass panel, I couldn't give more than about 20 dollars for it. It don't look right.

To make a long story short it will be harder to sell than an authentic machine because it will appeal to a much more limited audience. I rather like it for what it is, but wouldn't buy it because my display space is extremely limited and I devote what little there is to authentic pieces. And it won't appeal at all to purists.

However, someone who does not care about serious phonograph collecting, but appreciates quirky and fun "steampunk" things, might love it. Get that kind of person and it could bring a couple hundred. The chore will be in finding that right buyer, maybe at a big flea market or something of the sort.

Clay

Good summary, Clay. If I were trying to sell it at a fleamarket, I would include a few packs of needles and a handful of bouncy, common-title fox-trot Victor batwing records to sweeten the deal. Good demo records from the appropriate era create a nostalgic mindset that sells machines. That is my experience selling at flea markets. I am still amazed how many dealers won't even bother to oil up a machine so that prospects may hear it.

I had a similar machine in the late 90's. I bought it naively from England. It was a similar floor standing phonograph with odd matched parts. I later found out that in the 1980's UK dealers were outfitting convincing pieces of furniture with legit parts to sell in the UK for decor in french themed bars and restaurants, although I have no way of verifying this.